AFC Playoffs- Jets@Bengals- Saturday

Jets- The first order of business for the playoffs is for the New York Jets to put Jim Caldwell on their Christmas card list. Jim Caldwell, the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, decided to rest Peyton Manning and some other starters early in the third quarter when the Colts lead 15-10. The Jets took full advantage and came back to win the game 29-15, and when the Jets beat the resting Bengals the next week they clinched a playoff spot. If Caldwell keeps his starters in the game in week 16 then the Jets are likely sitting on the couch watching the playoffs on TV. The Jets have a solid defense, in fact they are ranked number one in the nation, but can the score enough points to stay in the game and win it late? Thomas Jones is one of the most under rated running backs in the league, and always seems to have solid games on the ground. Problem is that everybody talks about quarterbacks when it comes to the playoffs, and the Jets have a quarterback in Mark Sanchez that is tied with me in playoff wins, zero. If the Jets can keep the ball on the ground to control the clock, and play solid defense, then they have a great chance to win this game.

Bengals- The Cincinnati Bengals were a great story at the beginning of the year, and still are I guess because nobody expected them to be in the playoffs this year, and with the teams in their division, including the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers, they were certainly not expected to win their division. But they did, going 6-0 against their own division, the AFC North. The Bengals all year long have had a pretty solid defense, and have had a revitalized offense. Cedric Benson, who was thought to be done a couple years ago has really turned his career around in Cincinnati to become one of the premiere backs in the league this year. The Bengals had a great start to the year but have kind of stumbled and limped down the stretch with bad losses to teams like the Raiders and a whooping by the Vikings. The Bengals will have a rowdy home crowd though, and if they can use them to their advantage they have a good chance to win.

Prediction- Its going to be cold in Cincinnati this Saturday, and the team with a better running game and defense should win this ball game. The Jets beat up on the Bengals last week to clinch a playoff spot 37-0. The Bengals were not motivated in that game because they have nothing to play for, and they also rested their guys in the second half. Dont be deceived though with last weeks game, yes the Bengals were unmotivated and rested their players, but even when Carson Palmer played the whole first half, he recorded a grand total of 0 yards passing. The Jets dominated that game even when the Bengals had all their top guys in the game. Ill take the 2.5 point underdog Jets in this one, they have the leagues top rated defense, and a very consistent running back to pound the Bengals all day in the cold weather playoff game. Although I dont expect this game to be anything like last weeks game, I do expect the Jets to be able to win in a low scoring, defensive style game. I'll take the Jets 20-14.